Liberia explained to kids

Liberia is a West African country located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, and Ivory Coast to its east. Liberia has a population of over 4 million people, and its capital city is Monrovia. The country covers an area of 111,369 square kilometers (43,000 square miles) and is the smallest country in West Africa. Liberia is divided into 15 counties. The official languages of Liberia are English and French. The country is named after the Liberian family who founded the first colony in 1822. The colony was established for freed African-American slaves and their descendants. Liberia was the first African country to gain independence, in 1847. Since the late 20th century, Liberia has been plagued by civil war and instability. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Liberia was involved in two civil wars that resulted in the death of over 250,000 people and the displacement of millions. In 2003, a peace agreement was reached, and a new government was elected in 2005. Since then, Liberia has made slow but steady progress in rebuilding its infrastructure and economy. Liberia is a low-income country with a GDP of $1.1 billion. The main industries in Liberia are agriculture, timber, and mining. Liberia is rich in natural resources, including iron ore, gold, and diamonds. One of the biggest challenges facing Liberia today is the high levels of poverty and unemployment. Over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and youth unemployment is estimated to be as high as 80%.